Jennifer Lopez says challenging role in ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ is something she ‘wanted to do my whole life’

Jennifer Lopez says her latest project, a musical film exploring an unlikely connection between a transgender character and a political revolutionary, comes at a time when a message of acceptance is needed.

“I think it’s necessary because the world is in a place where there’s a lot of hate…there’s a demonization of the Latino community, the queer community…and I think, you know, we have to remember that love is the answer – not hate,” Lopez told “CBS Mornings” co-anchor Gayle King about the new film, “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” which hits theaters Friday.

Lopez said she was “immediately stunned” when she read the film’s script from writer-director Bill Condon, known for his work on “Chicago” and “Dreamgirls.” The film is based on a 1970s novel by Manuel Puig, which Lopez described as being way ahead of its time.

The central message of the story focuses on a transgender character and a cisgender political revolutionary who come from completely different worlds but, through extraordinary circumstances, come to recognize each other’s humanity and develop a deep bond.

“I thought, This is something I’ve wanted to do my whole life,” she said.

Play three “very different characters”

Lopez said the last time she felt the same thrill was when she was preparing for her starring role in “Selena.” In “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Lopez plays three different versions of the same woman.

“It’s the same person, but they’re three very different iterations of this woman and they’re all very different characters and they also have very different looks. And that was fun. But I think the essence of who they were was very different, but still the same. And I think that was the challenge,” Lopez explained.

Lopez said the main message of the film is to see past differences.

“When you forget all of these things, if you forget about someone’s political views and you forget, we’re all entitled to our opinions on everything and our ways of thinking, and even, you know, where we grew up and where we come from all over the world. But the truth is we’re all human, we’re all the same. And if we can just see that we can allow people to be who they are and love each other anyway,” she said.

She also spoke about her character, Ingrid Luna, who appears in a musical sequence. In this scene, Ingrid helps another character escape the harsh reality of prison with a fantastic performance. The number, entitled “Where You Are”, constitutes a moment of emotional release, inviting the character to forget his surroundings and find comfort through his imagination.

“And I think that’s what art and music and movies…movies do for people. You know, and especially in difficult times in their lives, I know that for me it certainly has been that way,” Lopez said.

Bad Bunny and the power of music

Lopez and Shakira headlined the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV halftime showwith a special performance by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny during a rendition of “I Like it”.

As Bad Bunny is now preparing to take the NFL’s biggest stage for the Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show, Lopez shares his appreciation for the artist as he encourages people to learn Spanish. She said the message behind her performance, much like her new film, centers on love and openness, encouraging people not to close themselves off to new experiences.

“Music and art transcend language. It doesn’t matter,” she said. “And he’s done that probably more than anyone in any generation that he actually has.”

Lopez said the Super Bowl gives artists a rare opportunity to reach new audiences and show who they are.

“It’s about not having too many ideas and closing yourself off to experiences that might cause you to miss out on something. Wonderful. Don’t do that to yourself. That’s what I would say,” she said.

She praised the moment Bad Bunny brought singer Marc Anthony, the father of Lopez’s children, on stage during a concert in Puerto Rico.

“It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment. And I didn’t even see it. I know it was perfect. God didn’t let me see it, because I would have exploded. I would have died,” Lopez said.

For Lopez, it’s still important to keep her mind and heart open, telling King that she still considers herself a “hopeful romantic” — the term she told King she preferred to “hopeless romantic” in a 2022 interview.

“100%. 100%. And the more I become aware of the lessons that I learn and the trials that I go through, the more whole and complete I feel, the more I hope that this same type of person will come into my life,” Lopez said. “The more I know, the more you know, this type of person will come into my life. Yeah. And so I’m excited about everything in the future.”